Variable force projector and catcher

ABSTRACT

A spring-operated plunger type ball shooter is disclosed having a ball catcher and holder at one end and a twist grip trigger at the other end. The shooter is designed for the playing of games and includes a gravity actuated elevation indicator and a spring force indicator to increase the fun and accuracy of shooting. The ball or projectile is further characterized by having a tail of fabric or the like for visibility in flight. Hinged radial pins in the ball catcher end facilitate retention of the ball therein.

Unite States Grattan atet H 1 [451 July 29, 1975 154] VARIABLE FORCEPROJECTOR AND CATCll-IER [76] Inventor: Donald J. Grattan, 3430 N.Elaine,

Chicago, 111. 60657 22 Filed: Junell, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 369,105

[52] 11.8. C1 273/96 R; 42/1 A; 124/26; 124/38', 124/31; 124/41; 42/1 S[51] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 42/1 A, 1 S, 70 G; 124/16,124/17, 37, 38, 21, 26, 31, 41; 273/69, 96,101

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 689,586 12/1-901 Haskell273/69 1,615,266 l/l927 Frenchm. 124/16 2,335,881 12/1943 Persinger....42/1 S 2,917,038 12/1959 Handley 124/37 3,026,644 3/1962 Raider 124/383,236,521 2/1966 Knott 273/96 R 3,246,895 4/1966 Trail 124/38 3,329,4287/1967 Moran 124/16 3,393,911 7/1968 Lawson 273/106 R 3,765,396 10/1973Keinholz 124/41 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle AssistantExaminer-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarbaugh and Thomas [57]ABSTRACT A spring-operated plunger type ball shooter is disclosed havinga ball catcher and holder at one end and a twist grip trigger at theother end. The shooter is designed for the playing of games and includesa gravity actuated elevation indicator and a spring force indicator toincrease the fun and accuracy of shooting. The ball or projectile isfurther characterized by having a tail of fabric or the like forvisibility in flight. Hinged radial pins in the ball catcher endfacilitate retention of the ball therein.

8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures VARIABLE FORCE PROJECTOR AND CATCHERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of spring-operated toyguns in the prior art adopted to project a missle into the air and catchit again. Most use a tethered projectile. -Means for adjusting thespring tension is either lacking or quite crude. The spring-tension onfishing bait projectors is convenient in that the spring is wound like awatch spring. Furthermore. the prior art devices are not suited forplaying games and lack interest for this reason.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective of this invention is to provide aball or projectile shooter which is easy to handle, lightweight andshoots the ball with reasonable accuracy and adjustable distance so thatduplicating shots is made possible, particularly when some indication ofthe elevation or angle of the shot is given to the player. The deviceprovides a means to play a game wherein one shooter shoots his ballalong a trajectory and one or more other players shoot at the ball inflight with their ball shooters, like the game of trap or skeet. Thepresence of the tail on the ball gives visual impetus to the game andalso increases the chances for a hit. In one aspect of the invention thecatch or trigger is rotary so that its release is by means of a twistingforce on the butt end of the barrel thus facilitating the release of thecatch without a pull motion which would interfere with the elevation anddirection adjustments. The position of both the elevation and forcevariables are clearly before the player at all times making it easier toduplicate shots with more accuracy.

More particularly the actuating plunger is engaged by a rotatable searat any one of a number of notches as it is pulled back in the tubularbarrel. The barrel is provided with an elongated slot in the side wallwhereby the extent of retraction of the plunger against the actuatingspring is made visible. The plunger is provided with indicia to show theextent of compression of the spring. The forearm has a gravity actuatedpendulum suspended within a recess therein on its top side with a scaleassociated therewith to indicate the angle of the barrel above or belowhorizontal at the time of a shot.

The barrel has a cup or open-faced housing at the muzzle end which isadapted to receive the generally spherical soft projectile. A number ofinwardly projecting flexible radial fingers are provided around theopening of the cup to retain the projectile in operable relationshipwith the striking end of the plunger. The cup and its fingers also serveas a receptacle by which a projectile shot by another gun can be caughtas part of a game of skill. All of the parts are of simple design andare flttedtogether in a manner to make manufacture and assemblyinexpensive. The absence of a stock or pistol grip makes the device morelike a wand that is easily manipulated during loading and shooting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

An illustrative embodiment of the invention isshown in the drawingswherein:

FIG. I is a side plan view of the ball shooter with the projectile orball shown in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the shooter.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the catcher end of the barrel takenalong the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the shooter as seen from the playersviewpoint as he uses same illustrating the close association of theforce and elevation indicators.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the lines 66of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the elevation indicator taken alongthe lines 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded view of the rotatable buzzer handle atthe butt end of the barrel.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the butt endof the barrel to show the details of the rotatable trigger arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along the lines l0l0 of FIG. 9 andFIG. 11 is a view like FIG. 10 showing the trigger or catch in therelease position and also indicating the relative position of the coverplate for this part of the shooter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the shooter is shown to include thetubular barrel member 10 having the flared catcher housing member 12 atthe muzzle end and the trigger assembly 14 at the butt end of thebarrel. The

/ barrel 10 carries the forearm member 16, intermediate its ends whichserves as a hand grip. The barrel has an elongated slot 18 (also shownin FIGS. 6 and 9) that extends a substantial length of the barrel andcommunicates with the internal bore 20 thereof. The slot 18 forms aretaining edge for the elongated transparent cover or window 22. Theperipheral edge 24 of the window 22 may be affixed within the slot 18 bymeans of an adhesive. The spaced indicia or numerals 1-6, indicated at26 on the top surface of the cover 22 are provided to show the relativeforce being applied to the projectile as will be described.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 5, it is seen that the catchermember 12 is cup-shaped having the flared open end 30 defined by thewall 32 which also defines the extended lip 34 over the top portion ofthe cup at the open end. The cup member 12 has the circular base flange36 that encompasses the open end of the wall 38 of the tubular member10. The juncture 40 of these parts can be threaded or represent anadhesive interface. Alternatively the neck 36 can be press-fitted orthreaded onto the tubular wall 38.

The projectile 42 is shown in FIG. 3, same being a soft rubber or softplastic ball of either hollow construction or having a hard coresurrounded by a spherical layer of soft rubber or soft plastic. Thepurpose is to provide a projectile which will be fairly stable in flightyet will not cause any injury if it strikes a person. The ball isprovided with a tail or flag 44 of any desired color fastened thereto atone point 46 by any suitable means. The tail 44 can be provided with aknot at one end which is molded deep into the body of the ball at thetime of production so that there is no tendency for it to tear out.

The ball 42 is smaller in diameter than the effective diameter of theinside opening 30 of the cup 12 so that a radial space 48 therearound isprovided which is about the same as the radius of the ball. In otherwords, the diameter of the ball is about one-half the diameter of theopening 30. These dimensions are subject to variation and a larger cup12, in relation to the size of the ball 42 can be used, particularly foruse by children.

The wall 32 of the cup 12 is provided with four or more equally spacedholes, indicated at 50, to receive the heads 52 of the flexible taperedfingers 54, the tip ends 56 of which are separated from each other by anamount less than the diameter of the ball 42. The heads 52, are largerthan the holes 50. The body of each finger is reduced in size just belowthe head 52 so as to snap-fit therein and the neck 58 of each finger isagain enlarged and tapered therefrom. These parts are made of flexibleplastic or rubber so that the fingers can be readily installed byinserting the tips 56 in the holes 50 from the outside and pressing thefingers inwardly until the neck 58 snaps through the hole 50 and intothe relationship shown. The heads 52 are rounded so that no harmfulprojections are on the outside surface of the cup 12. If desired, thefingers 54 can be molded integral with the cup 12.

Each finger 54 is flexible so that the ball 42 upon being received inthe cup 12 presses past the fingers by its own weight or inertia andcomes to the broken-line position shown in FIG. 5 with the fingers stillin contact with the surface of the ball to hold same in axial alignmentwith the bore hole 20 of the barrel 10. In FIG. 3

it is seen that the fingers 54 are conical in shape. In order to provideless resistance to rearward thrust and greater ease of release of theball 42 without loss of the axial orientation, the fingers 54 arenotched, as at 60 on their back sides. The notches can be adjusted insize in relation to the body diameter of the fingers to provide thedesired degree of holding, snapback and orienting action. The notches 60can also be omitted. The fingers 54 are made of tough elastomer orrubber composition so as to withstand shock and repeated flexing.

The barrel 10, defining the longitudinal bore 20, houses the plunger rod62 (see FIG. 6) having the handle end 64 extending from the butt end ofthe barrel and the ram or buttress 66 at the muzzle end of the barrel,which is rounded and adapted to strike the ball and cause it to fly fromthe cup 12.

The tubular wall 38 of the barrel 10 has the radial inner muzzle flange68 defining an opening 70 at the muzzle end to receive the buttress end66 in freely sliding and spaced relationship. Spaced from the buttressend there is provided the integral radial guide flange 72 attached tothe plunger 62 which has an outside diameter slightly less than theinside diameter of the bore so as to slide freely therein.

The flange 68 provides a seat for the shockabsorber spring 74, samebeing a coiled spring encompassing the ram end 66 and seated at itsother end against the forward wall of the flange 72. This spring 74 canbe affixed to either the flange 68 or to the flange 72 or not beattached to either flange, as desired.

A combination guide and indicator member 76, preferably made as aseparate part from the flange 72, ex tends from its top side within andspaced from the longitudinal slot 18. This indicator member 76 and theflange 72 can be of a different color than the barrel 10 so as to bereadily visible through the plastic window 22 as a quick reference tothe position of the plunger in the barrel and to show whether theshooter is cocked or not. The indicator member 76 can be omitted.

The main spring 80, also a coil spring, encompasses a substantial partof the length of the plunger rod 62 from the flange 72 to the breechplug 82. The breech plug 82 is made as a separate part as well as theindicator member 76 so that the plunger rod 62 and the spring 80 can beassembled in the barrel 10. Once these parts are in place the indicator76 can be attached and the spring 80 held under tension while the breechplug 82 is fitted in place. This member can be cemented into position orheld by screws affixed through the wall of the barrel l0.

The breech plug 82 has a central bore 84 which engages the plunger rod62 in a close-fitting sliding engagement. The plunger rod 62 is longerthan the barrel 10 so that the handle 64 protrudes from the breech endat all times. The space between the indicator-guide 76 and the forwardor muzzle end of the slot 18 is large enough that when the plunger buttsthe shockabsorber 74, it does not strike this end of the slot.

A second guide for the plunger 62 is provided by the end cap 86, havingthe flange 88 and the bore 90 slidably receiving the plunger. This endcap 86 can be attached to the end of the panel 10 by the screw threads92, shown, or by any other means.

The barrel 10 carries the external collar 94 about opposite the end plug82. The collar 94 is about the same outside diameter as the flange 88and these members define the end walls for the trigger housing parts 96and 98 (see FIG. 8) which are generally arcuate in shape and of largerdiameter than the barrel 10.

The housing members 96 and 98 are the same length and each has an innerarcuate wall, indicated at 100 and 102 which generally conforms incurvature with the outer surface 104 of the barrel 10; each covering ahalf of the circumference of the barrel. These parts are cemented inplace or otherwise attached to the barrel. To facilitate permanence ofthe trigger housing the top housing member 96 has the grooved edges 106,on each side, which engage the tapered edges 108 of the bottom housingmember 98.

The top housing member has the rectangular notch 110 opening to theforward edge 112 and having the intermediate wall 114 thereon whichdefines a rectangular depression having the end wall 116 in the topforward edge of the housing. The wall 114 is also spaced from the innersurface 100 of the housing member 96. The wall 114 is thinner than theeffective thickness of the wall of the housing member 96.

The wall 38 of the barrel 10 has the rectangular arcuate opening 120therein behind and spaced from the collar 94.

The opening 120 is opposite the notch 110 defined by the edge 122 of theintermediate wall 114 when the housing member 96 is in place on thesurfaces 104 of the barrel l0 and the collar 94 abuts against the endsurfaces 112 and 113 of the trigger housing members 96 and 98.

The trigger member 124 has a block-like base 126 with the slot 128 onthe back edge. The front wall 130 has the guide tip and stop member 132extending below the bottom wall 134 and also the tab 136 extending outlongitudinally of the base 126. The collar 94 has the arcuate slot 140that is open to the rear having the enclosing front wall indicated 142(see also FIGS. 10 and 11). The coil spring 146 is housed within theslot 140 by means of the cover plate 148 having the arcuate slot 150 andengaged against the rear wall 152 of the collar 94 by means of screws orthe like (not illustrated) that would engage through the holes 154 inthe cover plate.

The spring 146 is thus completely housed within the slot 140.

The trigger member 124 is installed by engaging the slot 128 over theweb wall 114. This brings the front wall 130 in the plane of the edges112 and 113 and the top and bottom depressions over the wall 114 arefilled. The surfaces of the block 126 can be curved so that when thetrigger member 124 is assembled it conforms with the exterior andinterior wall curvature of the trigger housing 96.

The trigger has the spring-loaded sear 156 with the shank 158 extendinginto the bore hole 160 of the base 126. The spring 162 biases the sear156 downwardly in the direction of the arrow 164. The sear extends intothe slot 128 just behind the stop member 122 which impinges against thefront edge 166 of the slot in sliding rotational relationship. In thisposition the tab 136 extends into the arcuate slot 140 and the triggerassembly 96-98 and 124 which is rotatably carried on the surface orbreech 104 of the barrel is biased by the spring 146 so that the sear isupright and is biased into the spaced notches 170 with its flat backside 172 afainst the straight edge 174 of a notch. The leading surface176 of the sear 156 is leveled so as to cam against the sloped surfaces178 of the notches 170.

The plunger rod 62 is slightly out of round to present a narrow plate180 at the top of each notch. The assembly includes a hand grip 182which encompasses the trigger members 9698. This hand grip will benotched at 184 to encompass the raised edge of the trigger 124.Accordingly. as the plunger 67 is pulled back by the handle 64, the sear156 will drop into each notch 170 in succession and the indicator 76will come into registry with the members 16, indicating the number ofnotches of pull. The trigger then assumes the position shown in FIG. 10.Then by turning the grip 182, between the flange 94 and the end flange88,. the sear is rotated off-center as shown in FIG. 11, against thetrigger spring 146, and the cam 62 is released.

Referring to FIG. 7, the grip 16 has the cavity 190 with the fore andaft undercut positions 192 and 194 to accommodate the pendulum 196,having the weight 198, and pivoted on the pin 200, that extendstransverse the grip 16. The top part of the cavity 190 has the off-setperiphery 202 to receive the edge of the transparent arched cover member204. The top surface 206 of the pendulum is rounded circumferentiallywith the axle 200 and bears the raised indicia 208 to show therelationship of the longitudinal axes of the barrel 10 with thehorizontal.

Since the ball shooter is held in the two hands at about waist level.the angle of the shooters eye to the indicia 208 will be less thanvertical. Accordingly, the registry of a particular indicia 20811 on theback sides of the pendulum with the back edge of the cover 204 canrepresent the level position of the shooter. As the breech end islowered the next indicia 20819 will come into view and tell the shooterthe angle of the shot. The indicia 208 can be color-coded and areference line can be provided on the cover 204 or only a part of itmade transparent to establish a line of sight to the indicia. The weight198 is held by any means such as the screw 210 that is embedded betweenthese parts. Other means for fastening the weight 198 can be used.

The pendulum 196 can be mounted on the barrel and the forearm 16omitted. Also the pendulum can be elevated so that it registers from theside rather than the top, more in line with the shooters line of sightalong the barrel.

The operation of the ball shooter is quite simple. The plunger rod 62 ispulled against the spring by means of the handle 64 as the barrel isgripped by the forearm 16. The sear 156 engages one of the notches inthe plunger rod and holds it in cocked position. The ball 42 is insertedagainst the radial fingers 54 as shown in FIG. 5. The barrel is aimed atthe desired elevation indicated by the pendulum 196 and the triggerassembly 14 is twisted. This disengages the sear to the position shownin FIG. 11 and the plunger drives the ball from the cup 12.

The ball shooter can be used with stationary or moving targets. Thetarget can be vertical of horizontal. In the latter case the ballshooter can be used like a morter. A game like skeet can be playedwherein one player shoots the ball across a path in front of othershooters who then fire their ball shooters at the flying projectile.Particular dexterity is required to catch the ball in the cup 12.However, the fingers 54 aid in retaining the ball therein once itstrikes the inner part of the cup.

In this latter connection the size of the ball 42 in relation to the cup12 can be varied so that the fingers 54 hold the ball in the cup in twodifferent ways. One embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein thediameter of the ball in relation to the length and resiliency of thefingers 54 is such that it is held in spaced relationship within the cupas it is struck by the rounded tip 66 of the plunger moving in thedirection of the arrow. The ball can be smaller than that shown so thatit can pass entirely through the fingers 54 and rest in the cup with thefingers 54 returning to the normal radial un-biased position behind theball. Also the distance between the fingers and the base of the cup(muzzle of the barrel) can be varied to accomplish this result with alarge ball. The inner wall of the cup can be shaped so as to center theball before the muzzle in cooperation with the fingers 54. It isapparent that if the ball is off-center, axial flight therefrom would bedisrupted although such erratic initial path of flight may be anadvantage for some shooters.

In place of the pendulum 196 any gravity actuated indicator can be usedto show the longitudinal angular elevation of the tubular barrel of theshooter. Thus, a spirit level or an arched tube with a glob or mercurycan be used. Also, the catch means along the plunger rod have beenindicated as notches. Instead of this construction spaced protuberancescan be used. The trigger assembly need only comprise a radialreciprocatable detent member or a circumferentially movable detentmember with means to selectively engage the detent member with means toselectively engage the detent in the catch means at the desiredcompression force on the plunger rod. This is determined by the amountof pulling force placed on the handle 64. The shaft 158 of the detent156 is splined or otherwise prevented from rotating.

Instead of biasing the trigger to the locked or cocked position thisassembly can be reversed so that the trigger must be held from rotatingand released to shoot the projectile. The shaft 158 of the detent 156 isprevented from rotating by attaching the spring 162 between the innersurface of the barrel and the top of the detent head 156. This shaft canalso be splined in the bore hole 160. Instead of using the guide tab 76to prevent the plunger rod 62 from turning the bores 70, 84 and 90 inwhich it is mounted can be shaped to conform with the shafts ovalconfiguration or a spline can be used in any one or more of these guidebores.

What is claimed is: l. A toy projectile shooter comprising: an elongatedtubular barrel having a projectilereceiving muzzle end and a breech end;a projectile; said muzzle end being flared and defining an openended cuplarger than said projectile and includes: a series of circumferentialspaced flexible members extending radially inward from the wall thereof;the axial distance of said flexible members from said muzzle end of saidbarrel being substantially equal to the diameter of said projectile andthe length of said flexible members in relation to the diameter of saidwalled cup being such that said projectile passes therethrough with saidflexible members retaining said projectile in spaced relationshipaligned with said plunger rod by tangential contact with saidprojectile; a trigger assembly at said breech end; a spring-loadedplunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel; one endof said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through said muzzle endof said barrel; the other end of said plunger rod extending in operablerelationship with said trigger assembly and having a handle endextending beyond said breech; stop means at each end of said barrel tocontain said spring-loaded plunger rod therein; longitudinally spacedcatch means along said plunger rod and each being registerable with saidtrigger mechanism at selected cocked positions of bias of saidspring-loaded plunger rod; means along said tubular barrel to indicatesaid selected biased positions of said plunger rod therein whereby theforce applied to a projectile contained in said muzzle end is controlledupon release of said trigger assembly; a gravity-sensitive membercarried by said tubular .barrel; means connected to saidgravity-sensitive member to indicate the longitudinal angular elevationof said barrel; said trigger assembly includes a detent extendingradially into said tubular barrel for registry with said catch means onsaid plunger rod to hold said plunger rod at selected positions of bias;and means to move said detent circumferentially independent of saidplunger rod to and from said positions of registry. 2. A toy projectileshooter comprising: an elongated tubular barrel having a projectilereceiving muzzle end and a breech end a projectile; said projectilereceiving end defining an open-ended cup larger than the diameter ofsaid projectile and including:

a series of circumferential spaced flexible members extending radiallyinward from the wall thereof; the axial distance of said flexiblemembers from said muzzle end of said barrel being substantially equal tothe diameter of said projectile and the length of said flexible membersin relation to the diameter of said walled cup being such that saidprojectile passes therethrough with said flexible members re- 8 tainingsaid projectile in spaced relationship aligned with said plunger rod bytangential contact with said projectile;

an elongated slot extending intermediate the ends of said tubularbarrel;

a trigger assembly at said breech end;

a spring-loaded plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubularbarrel;

one end of said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through saidmuzzle end of said barrel;

the other end of said plunger rod extending in operable relationshipwith said trigger assembly and having a handle end extending beyond saidbreech;

stop means at each end of said barrel to contain said spring-loadedplunger rod therein;

a guide flange on said plunger rod having a radial indicator tabextending into said elongated slot and being reciprocatable therewith;

a series of longitudinally spaced notches along an intermediate portionof said plunger rod facing said elongated slot;

each of said notches having a vertical wall and an oblique wallintersecting therewith; said vertical walls facing the muzzle end ofsaid tubular barrel;

said trigger assembly including a spring detent extending radially intosaid tubular barrel for registry with said notches to hold said plungerrod at se-.

lected positions of bias;

said detent having complimentary vertical and oblique walls fitting intothe walls of said notches with said vertical wall thereof engaging thevertical wall of said notches whereby to cam over said oblique walls ofsaid notches upon retraction of said springloaded plunger rod to thecocked position and lock into a selected notch upon release of saidplunger rod;

means in said trigger assembly to bias said detent circumferentiallyinto registry with said notches, said means being movable to releasesame from said registry; and

means along said tubular barrel to indicate said selected biasedpositions of said radial indicator tab and plunger rod therein wherebythe force applied to a projectile contained in said muzzle end iscontrolled upon release of said trigger assembly.

3. A toy projectile shooter comprising:

an elongated tubular barrel having a projectile receiving muzzle end anda breech end;

said tubular barrel having a pair of spaced flanges at the breech end;

a trigger assembly at said breech end;

a spring-loaded plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubularbarrel;

one end of said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through saidmuzzle end of said barrel;

the other end of said plunger rod extending in operable relationshipwith said trigger assembly and having a handle end extending beyond saidbreech;

stop means at each end of said barrel to contain said spring-loadedplunger rod therein;

said tubular barrel having a pair of spaced flanges at the breech endand an elongated slot extending intermediate its ends;

a guide flange on said plunger rod having a radial tab extending intosaid elongated slot and being reciprocatable therewith;

a series of spaced notches along an intermediate porass-fiber 9 tion ofsaid plunger rod facing said elongated slot; each of said notcheshavinga vertical wall and an oblique wall intersecting therewith, saidvertical walls facing the muzzle end of said tubular barrel;

said trigger assembly includes a tubular handle member rotatably mountedon said tubular barrel -between said spaced flanges at the breech end; ia slotted opening is provided in said tubular barrel opposite saidtubular handle and opening to said plunger rod; said trigger assemblyincludes a spring detent carried by said tubular handle andextendingradially into said tubular barrel through said slotted opening forregistry with said notches to hold said plunger rod at selected portionsof'bias; circumferential biasing means including a tab carried by saidtubular handle in said trigger assembly to bias said detentcircumferentially into registry with said notches, said means beingmovable to release same from registry, and including-an arcuate 'slot onthe inside of oneof said flanges receiving the end of said tab; i V '7 aspring carried in said slot and biased against said tab to urge saidtubular housing circumferentially and carry said detent into registrywith said notches;

said detent having complementary vertical and ob lique walls for fittinginto the walls of said notches with said vertical wall thereof engagingthe vertical wall of said notches whereby to cam over said notches uponretraction of said spring-loaded plunger to the cocked position and lockinto a selected notch upon release of said plunger rod; and

means along said tubular barrel to indicate said selected biasedpositions of said plunger rod therein whereby the force applied to aprojectile contained in said muzzle end is controlled upon release ofsaid trigger assembly.

4. A toy projectile shooter comprising:

an elongated tubular barrel member having an inner seat on the muzzleend, a second inner seat adjacent and spaced from the breech end and aplug member at the breech end;

said seats and plug member having axially aligned bores therethrough;

a projectile receiving cup at the muzzle end of said tubular barrel;

a plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular member andcarried by said axially aligned bores;

said plunger rod having a radial flanged guide member adjacent andspaced from said muzzle seat;

said plunger rod being longer than said tubular member and having aprotruding striker end and a protruding handle end;

a pair of compression springs encompassing said plunger rod member;

one of said compression springs being a shock absorber between saidmuzzle seat and said guide member, the other of said compression springbeing a propulsion spring between said guide member and said secondseat;

an elongated longitudinal guide slot in the top wall of said tubularmember extending forward of the normal position of said radial guidemember and forward of said second seat;

an indic at or tab extendingradially'from said radial guide member intosaid guide slot;

said plunger rod being reciprocatable within said tubular member withinthe coqpress ion limits of said propulsion spring with said indicatortab recipro- 1 eating within said slot;

a series of longitudinally spaced catch members .alongsaid plunger rodwithin said tubular member;

atriggenassembly at the breech end of said tubular barrel member havinga radially reciprocatable detent-member; and 1 means to selectively movesaid detent member into and out of engagement with said catch members;

including a sleeve member rotatably mounted on said tubular barrelmember about said breech end and retained by'said plug member;

"said sleeve member carrying said detent member for rotation to and fromregistry with said catch members; and

means biasing said sleeve member into latched relationship with saidcatch members;

whereby said plunger rod upon movement against said propulsion spring isheld in a retracted position by said detent member and released to causesaid striker end to propel said projectile from said cap.

5. A toy projectile shooter in accordance with claim 4 including:

scaled indicia associated with said guide slot and guide tab to indicatethe relative compression on said propulsion spring when any one of saidcatch members is engaged by said detent.

6. A toy projectile shooter in accordance with claim 4 including:

a gravity-actuated level indicator associated with said tubular barrelmember whereby the longitudinal angular elevation of said projectileshooter is shown.

7. A toy projectile shooter in accordance with claim 6 in which:

said gravity-actuated level indicator comprises a pendulum pivotallymounted on a transverse axis on said tubular barrel member;

said pendulum member having an arcuate top portion above said axisbearing spaced indicia and a weighted bottom portion below said axis;and

a reference on said barrel member to indicate the relative verticalangle of said barrel above the horizontal.

8. A toy projectile shooter comprising:

an elongated tubular barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end;

said tubular barrel includes a forearm member intermediate its ends;

said forearm member having an open-topped recess thereacross;

a pendulum member pivotally mounted on a transverse axis within saidrecess and having an arcuate top portion bearing spaced indicia;

a fixed reference above said recess and top portion of said pendulum toindicate the vertical angle of said tubular barrel above the horizontal;

a projectile receiving cup at the muzzle end of said tubular member;

an inner circumferential flange seat at the muzzle end of said tubularbarrel defining a first bore therethrough;

an inner circumferential flange seat at the breech end of said tubularbarrel defining a second bore therethrough axially aligned with saidfirst bore;

a plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel,extending through said first and second bores with one end of saidplunger rod being forcefully extendable through said projectilereceiving cup and the other end of said plunger rod having a handle endextending beyond said breech end;

said plunger rod having a radial flanged guide member adjacent andspaced from said flanged seat at the muzzle end of said tubular barrel;

a pair of compression springs encompassing said plunger rod; 1

one of said compression springs being a shock absorber between saidflanged seat at the muzzle end and said flanged guide member on saidplunger rod; the other of said compression springs being a propulsionspring between said flanged guide member and said flanged seat at thebreech end of said tubular barrel;

a portion of said plunger rod encompassed by said propulsion springdefining a semi-circular crosssection and an elliptical cross section;

a series of longitudinally spaced notches in said elliptical portion ofsaid plunger rod;

a radially extending reciprocatable trigger detent at the breech end ofsaid tubular barrel;

first means biasing said trigger detent radially toward said notches;

said trigger detent having complimentary vertical and oblique wallsfitting into said notches with said vertical wall engaging the outerportion of said vertical wall of each notch;

rotatable support means for said trigger detent carried by said tubularbarrel at the breech end;

second means biasing said support means to rotate said trigger detentcircumferentially into engagement with said notches; and

the retracted position of said second biasing means allowing thevertical surface of said trigger detent to clear the vertical face ofeach of said notches. along said elliptical portion in the extendedposition of said first biasing means.

1. A toy projectile shooter comprising: an elongated tubular barrelhaving a projectile-receiving muzzle end and a breech end; a projectile;said muzzle end being flared and defining an open-ended cup larger thansaid projectile and includes: a series of circumferential spacedflexible members extending radially inward from the wall thereof; theaxial distance of said flexible members from said muzzle end of saidbarrel being substantially equal to the diameter of said projectile andthe length of said flexible members in relation to the diameter of saidwalled cup being such that said projectile passes therethrough with saidflexible members retaining said projectile in spaced relationshipaligned with said plunger rod by tangential contact with saidprojectile; a trigger assembly at said breech end; a spring-loadedplunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel; one endof said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through said muzzle endof said barrel; the other end of said plunger rod extending in operablerelationship with said trigger assembly and having a handle endextending beyond said breech; stop means at each end of said barrel tocontain said springloaded plunger rod therein; longitudinally spacedcatch means along said plunger rod and each being registerable with saidtrigger mechanism at selected cocked positions of bias of saidspring-loaded plunger rod; means along said tubular barrel to indicatesaid selected biased positions of said plunger rod therein whereby theforce applied to a projectile contained in said muzzle end is controlledupon release of said trigger assembly; a gravity-sensitive membercarried by said tubular barrel; means connected to saidgravity-sensitive member to indicate the longitudinAl angular elevationof said barrel; said trigger assembly includes a detent extendingradially into said tubular barrel for registry with said catch means onsaid plunger rod to hold said plunger rod at selected positions of bias;and means to move said detent circumferentially independent of saidplunger rod to and from said positions of registry.
 2. A toy projectileshooter comprising: an elongated tubular barrel having a projectilereceiving muzzle end and a breech end a projectile; said projectilereceiving end defining an open-ended cup larger than the diameter ofsaid projectile and including: a series of circumferential spacedflexible members extending radially inward from the wall thereof; theaxial distance of said flexible members from said muzzle end of saidbarrel being substantially equal to the diameter of said projectile andthe length of said flexible members in relation to the diameter of saidwalled cup being such that said projectile passes therethrough with saidflexible members retaining said projectile in spaced relationshipaligned with said plunger rod by tangential contact with saidprojectile; an elongated slot extending intermediate the ends of saidtubular barrel; a trigger assembly at said breech end; a spring-loadedplunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel; one endof said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through said muzzle endof said barrel; the other end of said plunger rod extending in operablerelationship with said trigger assembly and having a handle endextending beyond said breech; stop means at each end of said barrel tocontain said spring-loaded plunger rod therein; a guide flange on saidplunger rod having a radial indicator tab extending into said elongatedslot and being reciprocatable therewith; a series of longitudinallyspaced notches along an intermediate portion of said plunger rod facingsaid elongated slot; each of said notches having a vertical wall and anoblique wall intersecting therewith; said vertical walls facing themuzzle end of said tubular barrel; said trigger assembly including aspring detent extending radially into said tubular barrel for registrywith said notches to hold said plunger rod at selected positions ofbias; said detent having complimentary vertical and oblique wallsfitting into the walls of said notches with said vertical wall thereofengaging the vertical wall of said notches whereby to cam over saidoblique walls of said notches upon retraction of said spring-loadedplunger rod to the cocked position and lock into a selected notch uponrelease of said plunger rod; means in said trigger assembly to bias saiddetent circumferentially into registry with said notches, said meansbeing movable to release same from said registry; and means along saidtubular barrel to indicate said selected biased positions of said radialindicator tab and plunger rod therein whereby the force applied to aprojectile contained in said muzzle end is controlled upon release ofsaid trigger assembly.
 3. A toy projectile shooter comprising: anelongated tubular barrel having a projectile receiving muzzle end and abreech end; said tubular barrel having a pair of spaced flanges at thebreech end; a trigger assembly at said breech end; a spring-loadedplunger rod reciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel; one endof said plunger rod being forcefully extendable through said muzzle endof said barrel; the other end of said plunger rod extending in operablerelationship with said trigger assembly and having a handle endextending beyond said breech; stop means at each end of said barrel tocontain said spring-loaded plunger rod therein; said tubular barrelhaving a pair of spaced flanges at the breech end and an elongated slotextending intermediate its ends; a guide flange on said plunger rodhaving a radial tab extending into said elongated sLot and beingreciprocatable therewith; a series of spaced notches along anintermediate portion of said plunger rod facing said elongated slot;each of said notches having a vertical wall and an oblique wallintersecting therewith, said vertical walls facing the muzzle end ofsaid tubular barrel; said trigger assembly includes a tubular handlemember rotatably mounted on said tubular barrel between said spacedflanges at the breech end; a slotted opening is provided in said tubularbarrel opposite said tubular handle and opening to said plunger rod;said trigger assembly includes a spring detent carried by said tubularhandle and extending radially into said tubular barrel through saidslotted opening for registry with said notches to hold said plunger rodat selected portions of bias; circumferential biasing means including atab carried by said tubular handle in said trigger assembly to bias saiddetent circumferentially into registry with said notches, said meansbeing movable to release same from registry, and including an arcuateslot on the inside of one of said flanges receiving the end of said tab;a spring carried in said slot and biased against said tab to urge saidtubular housing circumferentially and carry said detent into registrywith said notches; said detent having complementary vertical and obliquewalls for fitting into the walls of said notches with said vertical wallthereof engaging the vertical wall of said notches whereby to cam oversaid notches upon retraction of said spring-loaded plunger to the cockedposition and lock into a selected notch upon release of said plungerrod; and means along said tubular barrel to indicate said selectedbiased positions of said plunger rod therein whereby the force appliedto a projectile contained in said muzzle end is controlled upon releaseof said trigger assembly.
 4. A toy projectile shooter comprising: anelongated tubular barrel member having an inner seat on the muzzle end,a second inner seat adjacent and spaced from the breech end and a plugmember at the breech end; said seats and plug member having axiallyaligned bores therethrough; a projectile receiving cup at the muzzle endof said tubular barrel; a plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within saidtubular member and carried by said axially aligned bores; said plungerrod having a radial flanged guide member adjacent and spaced from saidmuzzle seat; said plunger rod being longer than said tubular member andhaving a protruding striker end and a protruding handle end; a pair ofcompression springs encompassing said plunger rod member; one of saidcompression springs being a shock absorber between said muzzle seat andsaid guide member, the other of said compression spring being apropulsion spring between said guide member and said second seat; anelongated longitudinal guide slot in the top wall of said tubular memberextending forward of the normal position of said radial guide member andforward of said second seat; an indicator tab extending radially fromsaid radial guide member into said guide slot; said plunger rod beingreciprocatable within said tubular member within the coqpression limitsof said propulsion spring with said indicator tab reciprocating withinsaid slot; a series of longitudinally spaced catch members along saidplunger rod within said tubular member; a trigger assembly at the breechend of said tubular barrel member having a radially reciprocatabledetent member; and means to selectively move said detent member into andout of engagement with said catch members; including a sleeve memberrotatably mounted on said tubular barrel member about said breech endand retained by said plug member; said sleeve member carrying saiddetent member for rotation to and from registry with said catch members;and means biasing said sleeve member into latched relationship with saidcatch members; whereby saiD plunger rod upon movement against saidpropulsion spring is held in a retracted position by said detent memberand released to cause said striker end to propel said projectile fromsaid cap.
 5. A toy projectile shooter in accordance with claim 4including: scaled indicia associated with said guide slot and guide tabto indicate the relative compression on said propulsion spring when anyone of said catch members is engaged by said detent.
 6. A toy projectileshooter in accordance with claim 4 including: a gravity-actuated levelindicator associated with said tubular barrel member whereby thelongitudinal angular elevation of said projectile shooter is shown.
 7. Atoy projectile shooter in accordance with claim 6 in which: saidgravity-actuated level indicator comprises a pendulum pivotally mountedon a transverse axis on said tubular barrel member; said pendulum memberhaving an arcuate top portion above said axis bearing spaced indicia anda weighted bottom portion below said axis; and a reference on saidbarrel member to indicate the relative vertical angle of said barrelabove the horizontal.
 8. A toy projectile shooter comprising: anelongated tubular barrel having a muzzle end and a breech end; saidtubular barrel includes a forearm member intermediate its ends; saidforearm member having an open-topped recess thereacross; a pendulummember pivotally mounted on a transverse axis within said recess andhaving an arcuate top portion bearing spaced indicia; a fixed referenceabove said recess and top portion of said pendulum to indicate thevertical angle of said tubular barrel above the horizontal; a projectilereceiving cup at the muzzle end of said tubular member; an innercircumferential flange seat at the muzzle end of said tubular barreldefining a first bore therethrough; an inner circumferential flange seatat the breech end of said tubular barrel defining a second boretherethrough axially aligned with said first bore; a plunger rodreciprocatably mounted within said tubular barrel, extending throughsaid first and second bores with one end of said plunger rod beingforcefully extendable through said projectile receiving cup and theother end of said plunger rod having a handle end extending beyond saidbreech end; said plunger rod having a radial flanged guide memberadjacent and spaced from said flanged seat at the muzzle end of saidtubular barrel; a pair of compression springs encompassing said plungerrod; one of said compression springs being a shock absorber between saidflanged seat at the muzzle end and said flanged guide member on saidplunger rod; the other of said compression springs being a propulsionspring between said flanged guide member and said flanged seat at thebreech end of said tubular barrel; a portion of said plunger rodencompassed by said propulsion spring defining a semi-circularcross-section and an elliptical cross section; a series oflongitudinally spaced notches in said elliptical portion of said plungerrod; a radially extending reciprocatable trigger detent at the breechend of said tubular barrel; first means biasing said trigger detentradially toward said notches; said trigger detent having complimentaryvertical and oblique walls fitting into said notches with said verticalwall engaging the outer portion of said vertical wall of each notch;rotatable support means for said trigger detent carried by said tubularbarrel at the breech end; second means biasing said support means torotate said trigger detent circumferentially into engagement with saidnotches; and the retracted position of said second biasing meansallowing the vertical surface of said trigger detent to clear thevertical face of each of said notches, along said elliptical portion inthe extended position of said first biasing means.